7 years plus inactive, need guidance

So long ago i had bought fritz 7 to use on chess engine "playchess". Now that its been years i notice new programs stockfish komodo etc etc. Im only familiar with fritz though. So would it be best option to buy fritz 16 and then download, lets say komodo and the opening book. Or would it be better to buy komodo program itselt and from there i can downlosd stockfish or etc. If someone can explain if using fritz program with different engine and book will be good or program and engine all as one instead of mitch-matching

Download Stockfish 10. There are other free engines on the internet too.

Save your money, unless you need a newer version of the Fritz interface.

I second caesar49bc. All the engines, including the free ones, are so strong now that for most human players there's no practical difference in the quality of their analysis. Some of the commercial ones might have slightly fancier training features, but I'd recommend getting back into the habit of playing and looking over your games with basic analysis before worrying about those.

Downloading free engines for isn't much use in itself - you need the interface to run them. There are many free shipping interfaces to try - Arena, Tarrasch etc. Try one and it you don't like it, try another.

The OP was concerned about using the Playchess server. I think you need a Fritz interface to use the Playchess server. But I don't know if a 7 year old Fritz interface can be used on the Playchess server. So he might have to buy Fritz with some engine just to use the Playchess server.

hm?

So to play in chess engine you think i should get fritz and just download stockfish or komodo orwhatever? Only reason i ask is because i heard some say if i use komodo engine and opening bookk i should use the komodo chessprogram as well instead of fritz interface and using other books or engines. Know what i mean? Sorry its veen so long since getting into chess and havin fun watchin engine vs engine. I know buying fritz or komodo you get 6 month playchess which is cool now im debating what interface i should buy

Why do you need to buy anything? They are all available for free.

Playchess server has an engine room, so players are allowed to freely use engines in that area. It's a godsend for engine programmers and people that like to tweak and try out different engines.

Chessbase is especially interested in opening theory, and has made a slew of opening specific books taking opening moves from both human vs human games and engine vs engine games.